As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

 Quietly accept the message
planted in your hearts;
it can bring you
salvation.

James 1. 21

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

 Gathering

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Collect for Today

O God our defender,
storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid.
Rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear, 
and preserve us all from unbelief; 
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns with your and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and ever. Amen. 

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Mark 4. 26 - 34

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord.  Amen.

       “ The Power of a Seed "         

Have you ever thought what happens in that time between planting the seed and the first sight of new growth?         

This week I discovered a new word, ‘arborized.’ To be arborized is that process happening between that of sowing the seed and new branch growing. Or we could call it ‘developmental time.’         

This is part of 'the power of the seed.'         

When Christ speaks of our becoming a new creation, it involves dying like a seed. From all aspects of looking at a seed, it is but death. Except we know there is life within. To be ‘arborized’ then, is to ‘die like a seed and rise like a tree.’ (Psalm 92:12)         

We had two alternatives for our readings today from the OT: The first is from Ezekiel 17:22-24 that we could have used.

The writer uses the imagery in the messianic prophecy to tell how the Lord will choose someone from Judah’s royal family (the cedar) to reign over all creation. This tree, the prophet says, will be planted on Mount Zion, the location of the holy temple.         

Years ago, I would not have made this connection. But as I reflect on this reading today, I am mindful of the ‘Old Growth’ forests, and the references we have to “nurse trees.”

I have become fascinated by this idea of a nurse tree.         

Allie Wisniewski, from American Forests writes:

“Even though they are dead, they are not gone — trees find a way to help each other out postmortem. Introducing the 'nurse log.' Defined as fallen trees that provide “ecological facilitation” as they decay, nurse logs offer seedlings shade, nutrients, water, and protection from disease and pathogens, thus nurturing and making way for the new generation.”         

Allie Wisniewski’s story of how she ended up with American Forests is fascinating. (https://www.americanforests.org/article/nurse-logs-healers-of-the-forest/)         

From the Ezekiel scripture, we are presented with yet another contradiction provided by God as in comparison to what we think of as “the way of society.” It’s like to describe David’s being anointed king over all Israel as one of the least expected in the tradition of choosing a leader.         

Saul, anointed by the prophet Samuel as the first king of Israel, displeases the Lord. The Lord therefore sends Samuel to Bethlehem where he is to anoint a new king. (Kind of like over-throwing a government.)         

Over the generations, people have been fascinated by this event in the life of the people of Israel. Who would have ever thought the youngest, the one who we would see as the least qualified? The one that would be chosen!         

All the brothers are brought before Samuel and with each, God says, ‘not this one;’ then asks Jesse, ‘Are these all your sons?’ Jesse says, ‘Well, I still have the youngest. He’s out herding the sheep, caring for the sheep, and watching over them.’ And so, Samuel sends for David to come, and he sees David, and he anoints David--the youngest son!         

These lessons are like an introduction or preamble for the Gospel. I like it when each lesson is supportive of the other. David is anointed king.         

The parable of the mustard seed follows a similar parable, where Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven is like a seed scattered on the ground, sprouting, and growing to become representative of the fullness of God.         

This is followed by the parable of the mustard seed.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, when it grows, it becomes the largest of garden plants, even a tree, where birds come and perch in its branches."

In this simple analogy, Jesus emphasizes that great things can emerge from seemingly insignificant origins. Just as a tiny mustard seed grows into a substantial tree, our faith and God’s kingdom can flourish from small beginnings.         

I love these parables, as they have no real plot. They are an example or illustration of the everyday happenings of life. They remind us of the essence of God’s work. God’s work happens even when we are asleep. A holy reminder that God’s work is not solely ours to do. God is always at work in the background.         

This is not to say, our work in the kingdom of God is of little value. There could be nothing further from the truth. At the same time, we need to be rooted in the power of God’s creative love. God’s creative love that works in spite of ourselves, sometimes!

The nurse tree is a wonderful example of this. The youngest of the family! Who could have thought David would be the one? The smallest seed—each has great possibilities.

One of the foci of the Season after Pentecost is ‘evangelism or church growth.’         

In March of this year, the federal government issued a challenge to our country:

 Ottawa has promised to plant two billion trees by 2031 by providing funding to provinces, territories, cities, Indigenous groups, and non-profits.

That effort will require a vast amount of seed.

For two billion additional trees, (Kerry) McLaven said,

‘You need at least four billion seeds — likely more, depending on which species is being planted.’ (https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/two-billion-trees)         

A few years back, our focus was the ‘Decade of Evangelism.’

Did we meet our goals? I am not sure. At the same time, I know that “SEEDS” were planted. It just could be some of those seeds are still waiting to sprout.         

Or, if we think of forests, where certain parts of the species in the forests require fire for the seed to be opened. Maybe it is similar if we think of fire –if we think of celebrating Pentecost, the fire of the Holy Spirit needs to come into peoples’ lives and is waiting to do that.

If you think of the stats about planting trees, as the fact states, ‘it will take two billion seeds to have 1 billion new trees.’ Seeds are continually being planted.         

Agriculture requires planting and harvesting.

Evangelism requires planting and harvesting.

Each requires time for germination.         

Never doubt the conversation that you may have had with someone. The power of the seed planted lies within! Thanks be to God!

Let Us Pray

We come before the triune God to pray for our communities, ourselves, and our world. 

Nourish your faithful people through gifts of word and worship.
Guide the church in listening to and interpreting your message of grace for this time and place in history. May You continue to give us wisdom, and lead us in expanding the reach of your love.

Nature sings your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.
Sustain the holy rhythms of creation: days and seasons, hibernation and activity, phases of the moon and tides of the sea. Let these patterns assure us of your consistency.
Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

You raise the lowly and humble those in high regard. 
Raise up all who are victims of marginalization, discrimination, and hate. Banish white supremacy and bigotry from the hearts of your people and remove the inclination toward anger and violence. 
Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

Tend to all who journey by faith and wait with patience for the fulfilment of your healing promises.
Grant perseverance to people doing physical and occupational therapy, people living with mobility concerns, and people facing chronic pain.
In our parish this week, we especially pray for: Gail; Sue; John; Sheila; Blake; and those on our hearts, naming them now aloud, or in the silence of our hearts.
Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

As you have loved us, so let us love one another.
Empower fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, adoptive fathers, and chosen fathers to embody this gift of love for their children. Where these relationships are strained or broken, bring your comfort and peace. 
Merciful God,
Receive our prayer. 

With gratitude, we remember the saints who are now at home with you.
Plant seeds of their wisdom and witness in our hearts, that we grow in faith until we join them in your heavenly dwelling. 
Merciful God,
Receive our prayer. 

Receive our prayers, O God, and come quickly to our aid, through the power of the Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

Our communion hymn this week is  'My Life Flows on in Endless Song'.
The refrain is:

'No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

And so the challenge for us is to keep singing God’s love into the world.

The Blessing: 

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always.  Amen.

May our worship today continue to guide us, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.